Cargo Ship Runs Aground in Norwegian Front Yard, Officer Charged with Negligent Navigation

The container ship ran aground in the Trondheimsfjord, Trondheim, Norway

A Ukrainian crew member has been charged after a cargo ship veered off course and ran aground in the front garden of a residential home near Trondheim, Norway, while the homeowner was asleep inside.

The 135-metre-long vessel came dangerously close to crashing into Johan Helberg’s house in a rare maritime incident that occurred in the early hours of Thursday. Dramatic images captured the massive ship lodged just meters from the building, highlighting the severity of the grounding.

According to police, the man charged is in his 30s and was serving as the second officer aboard the ship at the time of the incident. He was among 16 crew members on board and has been formally charged with negligent navigation.

Authorities confirmed that the officer on duty was asleep when the vessel went off course. A police statement said: “The individual charged was the officer on watch at the time of the incident. During questioning, he stated that he fell asleep while on duty alone, which led to the vessel running aground.”

No injuries were reported, but the near-miss has sparked serious safety concerns. Police have launched a full investigation into whether maritime regulations regarding working and resting hours were violated, which could have contributed to the lapse in watchkeeping.

Efforts are currently underway to refloat and relocate the vessel, as officials assess potential environmental risks and structural damage to the surrounding area.